Executive Round Up: What Are the Key Factors in a Successful Dating Show?
We asked executives in the industry what the key factors in a successful reality dating show are. Here’s what they had to say.
Alon Orstein
SVP, Production & Development
TLC
“Viewers have to care deeply about the couples and their relationships. And for that to happen, the people in those relationships must be incredibly honest and real. They have to be ready and willing to dig deep and share the most intimate details of their love lives. Audiences absolutely crave that sense of openness and vulnerability as you see on ‘90 Day Fiance’.”
Cat Rodriguez
VP, Unscripted Development & Programming
Lifetime
“Three key factors for any successful dating show are a relatable and diverse cast, fantastical settings, and situations that produce unpredictable outcomes. When casting ‘Married at First Sight,’ we search for individuals who want love so deeply that they’ll do anything for it, including marrying a stranger. The stakes couldn’t be higher for these cast members and their actions and decisions can be surprising. If you add in a unique or idyllic backdrop, the entertainment value always increases.”
